Resistance welding circuit



June 22, 1948. R. a... RINGER, JR

RESISTANCE WELDING CIRCUIT Filed Feb. 3, 1945 M r O ROBERT L. RINGERJR Patented June 22, 1948 RESISTANCE WELDING CIRCUIT Robert Lee Ringer, Jr., Jersey City, N. J., assignor to The Taylor-Winfield Corporation, Warren, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 3, 1945, Serial No. 576,036

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to electric resistance welding apparatus and particularly to such apparatus of the spot welding type in which an electrode is moved into and out of engagement with the work in each succeeding cycle of opera-' tion. In the operation of certain spot welding machines of this character, particularly those employing the unidirectional discharge of a capacitance for furnishing the welding energy and a transformer for translating the energy to the welding load, arcing normally occurs between the work and the opening electrode due to the remnant magnetic flux existent in the transformer; the arcing is more severe, the more rapid the operation of the machine, since then the time intervals between the cessations of flow of primary current and the disengagements of the electrode from the work are materially shorter. Since this arcing is deleterious both to the work and to the electrodes it is to be avoided and heretofore various means for preventing it have been proposed. It is the primary object of the present invention to provide improved and substantially simplified welding transformer circuit arrangements whereby arcing at the welding electrode tips upon opening of the tips is prevented irrespective of the unidirectional character of the current furnished the primary winding of the transformer in effecting the weld.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the provision of an improved and simplified spot welding transformer circuit adapted to receive surges of unidirectional current in effecting successive welds which is operative through the use of the same circuit controlling devices both to reverse the flow of current through the transformer in succeeding cycles of operation whereby magnetic saturation of the core of the transformer is avoided and to prevent arcing at the electrode tips upon retraction of the tips following completion of the respective welding cycles.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed specification and the accompanying drawing wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The single figure of the drawing is a schematic representation of a spot welding system of the capacitor discharge type constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. Referring to the drawing, reference numeral I designates a welding transformer adapted to be energized by the discharge of a large capacitance 2 II and having a secondary connected directly with-the welding electrodes I2 and I3, the former of which is normally fixed while the latter is mounted for movement toward and away from the former as is customary in electric resistance spot welders. To facilitate the discharge of the capacitance II through the primary winding of the transformer ID in opposite directions in succeeding cycles of operation this primary winding is provided with a center-tap which is connected with the negative terminal of capacitance II through conductor HI. The end terminals of the primary Winding are arranged to be alternately connected with the positive terminal of the capacitance I I and for this purpose a magnetic contactor I5 is adapted to connect one end terminal of the primary winding with a common conductor I6 while a similar contactor I7 is arranged to connect the opposite end terminal of the winding with the common conductor I6. Interposed between the positive terminal of capacitance II and conductor I6 is a circuit controlling device preferably an ignitron I8 having its anode electrically connected to the positive terminal of the capacitance and its mercury pool cathode electrically connected with conductor I6.

Electrode I3 is shown as being carried by one end wall of a flexible bellows I9 the other end wall of which is in turn carried by a rod 20 attached to a piston within cylinder 2 I. Air under predetermined pressure is supplied to the bellows I 9 through inlet 22 and a conduit 23 supplies operating air to the cylinder 2| under the control of a four-way valve 24 which is arranged to be operated in one direction by a solenoid 25 and in the opposite direction by a spring 26. The arrangement here is such that upon energization of solenoid 25 air is admitted to the top of cylinder H to move bellows I9 and electrode I3 downwardly. Upon de-energization of solenoid 25 spring 26 reverses valve 24 to retract bellows I9 and electrode I3. Upon downward movement of rod 20 and following the clamping engagement of electrode I3 with the work, bellows I9 begins to collapse and during such collapsing a switch 21 carried thereby closes to initiate discharge of capacitance I I thus applying the welding current to the electrodes synchronously with the application of predetermined welding force as controlled by the pressure of the air furnished the inlet 22.

Ignitron I3 is provided with an ignition electrode 28 arranged to be energized upon conduction in an electron discharge device 29 which, in accordance with usual practice, is of the gridcontrolled gas filled type. A grid controlling circuit for tube 29 is provided as shown and includes a potential source 39 for holding the tube 29 normally non-conducting. The grid-controlling circuit also includes a secondary winding of an impulse transformer 3! the primary winding of whichnis arrangedto be energized, in proper timed sequence, by the discharge of a capacitance 32 upon energization of a relay 33, this energizing circuit being traceable from the left terminal of capacitance 32 through conductor 3 primary winding of transformer 35, conductorrfifi,contact (-56 of relay 33, and conductor 3 to theopposite terminal of capacitance 32. 'Qonnected across the conductors I4 and I6 is an ignitron 3&3 which becomes conductive upon reversal of polarity in either of the sections of the primary winding-oi the transformer It immediately following the initial discharge of capacitance H to provide a uni-directional low resistance shunt path with respectto either of the winding sections to prevent the inverse charging of capacitance H.

{provide-a control relay 39 having an operating solenoid Ail which is in a circuit extending from, one control power line'conductor 4! through conductors a2 and 43, normallyclosed contacted ofa time delay relay 45, conductor manually operated switch at, and conductor to to the opposite line conductor 4-9. Thuaupon closure of switch 41, solenoid (it is energized and upon such energization itsarmature closes contacted which energizes solenoid '25 through the circuit-line conductor '4 I, conductor i, solenoid 25, conductors '52 and 53, contact titandconductor 5!!- to line conductor 49. Simultaneously the charging circuit for capacitance ii is interrupted by the opening of a normally closed contact 55 positioned-in such circuit, the contact 55 being opened upon energization of an operating solenoid 55 throughthe circuit line conductor 4!. conductor 51, solenoid 56, conductors 58 ,and 53, contact 50, and conductorfi l to line conductor 43. As explainedabove, energization of solenoid .25 results indownward movement of the rod to and upon the electrode 13 engaging the work with sufiicient pressureto cause collapse ofbellows l9 switch ,21 closes to energize relay .33 ,through thetcircuit line conductor di, conductor {it .operating solenoid fill of relay 33, conductor iii,

switch 21, .and. conductor liztoline conductor 69.

Atall times ,either oneorthe other of the magnetic switches l5 and H is closed so that upon actuationof relay 733 and the consequent discharging of capacitance 132 through the impulse transformer 3,! theignitron i8 is rendered conducting to discharge capacitance H through one or theiotheref the primary windinggsections of the welding transformer 1 ll.

Magnetic switches wand l! are alternatively energized by a reversing relay of the latching typeshown schematically at 63. This relay is simultaneously actuated with the solenoid 25 through conductorfi l connected with conductor Eland conduQ'GOr 65 connected with conductor 52.

.Upon eachrenergizati-on its armature is moved in one direction or the other and latched in its stopping position. To this armature is attached a contactiifi whichis closed upon one energization ofrelay 63 anda second contact (5'5 which is closed upon the next succeeding energization when contact 66 opens. The operating solenoid for switch l5' is in a circuit which may be traced from line conductor M through conductor 5!, conductor "58, said solenoid, conductor 63, contact 55, conductor -10, normally closed switch H, and conductor 72 to line conductor it. The energizing circuit for the operating solenoid for switch i'l includes conductors i8 and contact iii? of relay 63 and conductor iii.

Relay 33 is provided with a back contact 74 which connects a rectifier 5 in series with the capacitance 32 across the line M, it during the time;that,relay 33 is deencrgized-to charge capacitance '32 between each successive welding cycle. Relay 3;; is provided with a second back contact 16 which, when relay 223 is tie-energized, interconnects conductors tit and it whereby both the switches i5 and ii are energized (closed), the electricalconnection between both the solenoids of these switches and the line conductor :29 beingthen'efiected'through the particular contact iiipr-fiilwhichisthen in closed position. Thus the primary winding of the welding transformer N! is short-circuited during the time that relay 33 is de-energized. However, during the making of theiweld whichcan oniy beiaccomplishediwhen relay 5.334s energizedbutcne o'f-the switcheszifi and JI :'l-: is. closedasexplained above.

"i'lfhe solenoid energizing circuit for the time delayrelayddmay:be'traced from line conductor i'l ithrough conductor 5!, a conductor '1l,'th=e solenoid'of the relay, conductors T3 and '35,.contact tdof-irelay conductors 231 and 1c, switch li,-and.conductor l2to line conductor 49. Ihus relay Aidis energized upon energization of relay 33 and followingithe timing out of its periodathe contactiM opens to interruptthe energizationof relayin "I provide ahold circuit in parallel with the switch 1? ccimprisingaconductor '19 leading from conductor a normally opencontact 4530 on the relay and a conductor' 'iii connecting with it-he conductor Ell which leads 'to the line conductor iaon the opposite side of the switch 41. upon the momentary closing of the switchidl relay 39 is held in-andcan only herdeenergized by opening the contact 44.

nt the start of; a cycle'of operation the capacitances 1H and :32 are 'ful1y.charged, contact 55 iis close'd,iboth the switches 15 and H are closed, and solenoid :25 is de-energize'd resulting inthe rod Zdbei-ng in retracted-position and the switch 2 being open. Upon insertion of the work between the electrodes! audit and the subsequent closing of the switch 4! relay'39 operates to energizesolenoidszo and 5t and'latching relay'E3, thus closing the electrodes onto the work, opening-the contact and reversing the contacts of latching relay Upon proper welding force being applied bythe electrode l3 switch 21 closes to energize relay 33 which operates first to disconnect rectifier l5 and to interrupt the interconnection between conductors: '69 and13 thus droppingout one-or the other of the switches 15 and H. Continued movement of the armature oi the relay 33 closes contact 36 thereof which dischargeslcapacitance 32 through transformer 3! thereby initiating conduction in tube'ZS which fires tube 18. The principal welding power capacitance H isnow discharged through one or the other of the sect-ions of the primary winding :oftr-ansformer iii and upon reversal of the current in this discharge circuit due to the inductive efiect of the transformer the ignitr0n'38 =begins to conduct asexplainedabove. Closure of contact 435 also energizes relay ili and after a predetermined delay sufficiently long to enable the welding'cycie to becompleted-contact 44 of relay 45 opens to de-energize solenoid 45] of relay '39. Upon-the dropping out of relay 39 solenoids -2-5 and 5B are tie-energized and rod 20 begins to move upwardly and the first effect of such upward movement is the opening of switch 21 which d-e-energizes relay 33. Conductors 69 and 13 are thereupon immediately again interconnected and both the switches l5 and I I closed to short circuit the primary of the transformer l9. In this manner I provide a simple, reliable and efficient arrangement for insuring the short-cir-cuiting of the transformer IE3 at a time immediately prior to and during the disengagement of the electrode l3 from the welded work, it being understood that continued upward movement of the rod 20 following the opening of the switch 2? causes the electrode I3 to rise from the work. Since a winding of the welding transformer is short-circuited at the time the electrode is separated from the work any current which may flow as a result of the remanent magnetic flux in the transformer will flow through the short-circuited winding and not through the higher resistance path of the opening electrodes and in this manner arcing at the tips of the electrodes is wholly prevented.

The invention described herein is of especial utility in automatic welding equipment of the repeating type and it should be clear that, if desired, a suitable off-time timer and other necessary devices may be readily added to the circuit illustrated to effect such mode of operation. Since such repeating circuits form no part of the present invention the same are omitted from the present description and drawing.

The above specifically described embodiment of the invention should be considered as illustrative only as obviously many changes may be made therein Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In electric resistance spot welding apparatus adapted to be energized from a source of unidirectional current and having a welding transformer, a welding electrode, and means to move said electrode into and out of engagement with the work being welded; the combination of a center tap for the primary winding of said transformer electrically connected with one terminal of said source, a conductor adapted to be electrically connected with the other terminal of said source, a pair of switches interposed between said conductor and the opposite end terminals of said winding, means to close said switches alternately in successive welding cycles whereby said transformer is energized in opposite directions in successive welding cycles, and means operative in former, means electrically connecting one terminal of said source with one terminal of each of said sections, a conductor adapted to be electrically connected with the other terminal of said source, a pair of switches interposed between said conductor and the opposite end terminals of said sections, means to close said switches alternately in successive weldin cycles whereby said transformer is energized in opposite directions in successive welding cycles, and means operative in each cycle of operation following completion of the welding cycle thereof to close both said switches prior to the retracting movement of said electrode whereby said primary winding is short circuited at the time of disengagement of said electrode from said work.

3. In electric resistance spot welding apparatus adapted to be energized from a source of unidirectional current and having a welding transformer, a welding electrode, and means to move said electrode into and out of engagement with the work being welded; the combination of a pair of primary winding sections for said transformer each having an end terminal connected with one of the terminals of said source, means to connect the opposite end terminals of said sections to the opposite terminal of said source alternately in successive cycles of operation whereby said transformer is energized in opposite directions in successive welding cycles, and means to electrically interconnect said opposite end terminals of said winding sections and to move said electrode away from the work in sequence whereby said primary winding is short circuited at the time of disengagement of said electrode from said work.

4. In electric resistance spot welding apparatus adapted to be energized from a source of unidirectional current and having a welding transformer provided with a pair of oppositely wound primary winding sections, awelding electrode, and means to move said electrode into and out of engagement with the work being welded; the combination of means to connect one terminal of each of said sections with one terminal of said source, means to connect the opposite terminal of said source alternately with the opposite end terminals of said sections in each successive welding operation, and means operable synchronously with said means to move said electrode out of engagement with the work to electrically interconnect said opposite end terminals of said sections whereby said primary winding is short circuited during disengagement of said electrode from the welded work.

ROBERT LEE RINGER, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,294,671 Livingston Sept. 1, 1942 2,295,293 Rogers Sept, 8, 1942 2,302,119 Hagedorn Nov. 17, 1942 2,315,093 Languepin Mar. 30, 1943 

